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Prevent Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

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    Stretch marks (scientifically known as striae distensae) are scars created by rapid stretching of the skin that look like indented streaks.

    These marks often start bright, discolored, and slightly sunken and fade in color over time. 

    Stretch marks are tears in supportive tissue in the skin, but they’re often painless when they occur. 

    They are common among pregnant woman and we’re always trying to find new ways to prevent them or treat them. 

    In this article, we’ll go over some pregnancy safe ways to handle your stretch marks all of which are easily accessible to you at the store.  

    What causes stretch marks?

    Stretch marks are visible from cutaneous lesions meaning damage to the skin. 50-90% of pregnant women will get stretch marks, but they are also common in people with rapid weight gain, bodybuilders, and breast augmentations.

    Usually, stretch marks occur when the skin stretches in such a short amount of time, that there is no time for the skin to adjust. 

    Stretch marks on thighs

    Stretch marks while pregnant

    More than half of pregnant women will get stretch marks from the rapid growth of growing a baby. 

    Although the skin is elastic, there is a limit for threadlike fibrils in the skin causing the appearance of stretch marks.

    This usually occurs in the 6th or 7th month, but can happen at any time during pregnancy. 

    The most common areas where stretch marks occur are in the breasts, abdomen, and thighs.

    I’m lucky enough to not get stretch marks during my two pregnancies and I’m going to show you how I did this later on in this article.

    Even though pregnant women are prone to stretch marks, other factors improve the chance of getting them, such as hormones, genetics, age, pre-pregnancy weight, and infant birth weight. 

    Since stretch marks are so common in women, they should be normalized as such. 

    How to prevent stretch marks from happening

    Even though stretch marks are a normal part of growing as a pregnant person, many want to avoid getting them in the first place.

    These are some ways to try to avoid them. 

    Weight

    One way to prevent or reduce the risk of stretch marks during pregnancy is to watch your weight gain. You’ll want to make sure you’re gaining the right amount of weight according to your doctor, but not at a rapid pace. This will ensure that you give time for your skin to adjust to its new stretch without causing damage to your cutaneous.

    You can manage your weight during pregnancy with a healthy diet and pregnancy safe workouts.

    Hydration

    Staying hydrated during pregnancy is one of the keys to preventing a lot of terrible pregnancy symptoms, and stretch marks are one of them. 

    Staying hydrated will help your skin become supple and elastic according to dermatologist Maria Robinson.

    Nutrition

    Eating a nutritious diet will help your skin absorb all of those vitamins found in the creams and body butters sold in stores.

    Try to eat foods that have vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc, silica, and vitamin D. 

    You can find these vitamins in most fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, chicken, eggs, fish, and beans.  

    Avoid dehydrating foods

    As if your pregnancy diet restrictions aren’t enough, scientists recommend avoiding dehydrating foods to prevent stretch marks. 

    As we mentioned before, hydration is an important factor in maintaining your skin’s elasticity. Dehydrating foods like coffee and chips will counteract all of your hydration efforts. 

    Moisturize daily

    It’s one thing to hydrate from the inside by drinking plenty of fluids, but we can’t forget to hydrate on the outside. 

    Moisturizing your skin protects it from the outside world and keeps it in the best condition to avoid stretch marks.  

    Humidifier

    You’ll likely need one when your baby’s born, so why not invest in one now? 

    Humidifiers help keep dry, harsh air a little more tolerable, especially when you’re sick, but they can also keep moisture in the air to help your skin. 

    Run a humidifier nearby to create moisture in the air so that your skin isn’t exposed to dry air for too long, which will keep it moisturized and supple on the outside. 

    Avoid scratching

    Although scratching your itchy skin doesn’t directly create stretch marks on your skin, it will stretch your skin a little bit further than it already is. 

    If you feel an itch, rub the area with your favorite moisturizer or oil to get rid of the feeling. If you don’t have any of that handy, patting the area should help. 

    Use Body creams and oils

    Not many studies have proven that home remedies and over-the-counter oils and creams prevent stretch marks, but many people resort to them anyways.

    My go-to is a combination coconut oil and vitamin E oil.

    Products to prevent stretch marks while pregnant

    Many people resort to topical creams or oils to prevent stretch marks since most are pregnancy-safe and easy to obtain. 

    The most commonly purchased products for stretch mark prevention while pregnant include: 

    1. Bio-oil
    2. Castor oil
    3. Anti-cellulite Massage oil
    4. Coffee scrub
    5. Belly butter
    6. Remedy oil
    7. Face & body cream
    8. Virgin coconut oil
    9. Massage lotion for stretch marks
    10. Rosehip oil

    Many stretch mark targeted products are some form of gel, butter, oil, or cream that comes with a combination of ingredients. 

    The common ingredients in stretch mark products are:

    Allantoin

    A chemical compound as cited in literature that heals wounds, hydrates, and is an anti-irritant among many other pharmacological benefits. 

    Collagen

    A protein naturally found in all animals. When a certain form is ingested it could counteract changes associated with aging by reducing facial lines and wrinkling.

    Aloe

    A succulent plant historically used for medicinal purposes. It has wound and burn healing properties along with anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal activity. 

    C. Asiatica

    A medicinal plant that has been experimented with to show improvement in the healing process of small wounds, scars, and burns. 

    Cocoa butter

    A readily available product made from Theobroma cacao known to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, though no studies have proven this to be valid. 

    Hyaluronic acid

    A naturally occurring carbohydrate that consists of sugar molecules bonded together. It’s known to have cushioning properties for the skin, anti-inflammatory activity, and other benefits. 

    Shea butter

    Shea butter is fat from shea kernels that have been extracted using roasting and pressing. It’s known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties while also moisturizing the skin. 

    Vitamin A

    Vitamin A helps speed up healing and prevent breakouts. It supports the skin’s immune system and works as a natural moisturizer. 

    Vitamin C

    A vitamin found naturally in the skin that stimulates collagen synthesis, antioxidant protection against UV damage, and wound healing. 

    Vitamin E

    A naturally occurring antioxidant that protects the skin from the adverse effects of outside sources. It’s meant to speed up wound healing and improve the appearance of burns and other wounds. It can be found naturally in vegetables, vegetable oils, and nuts. 

    Almond oil

    Although there is no scientific data to support the positive effects of almond oil on the skin its properties include anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects. In 2007, it was proven to reduce the effects of UV light aging. 

    Coconut oil

    Extracted from the coconut fruit, this oil was tested in 2009 and showed a positive effect on healing wounds. It also holds moisture for the skin. 

    Olive oil

    Like many oils we’ve listed here, olive oils have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It can reduce the speed of aging in the skin and helps inhibit cancer caused by sun exposure. 

    How to treat stretch marks during pregnancy

    If you end up getting stretch marks during pregnancy, you’re not alone. Over 50% of pregnant women will end up with stretch marks. 

    One bright side of getting stretch marks is that they aren’t dangerous to you or your baby. 

    Although they appear bright at first, they eventually fade. Unfortunately, there aren’t any ways to remove them since they are scars, but methods like laser treatment have proven to drastically reduce the appearance. 

    For this reason, stretch marks last forever. 

    With topical treatments, you can see stretch marks fade anywhere from 6 months to several years. 

    Products with ingredients listed above that have wound-healing properties are great for fading your stretch marks faster. These ingredients include C.asiatica, allantoin, and vitamin E. 

    A doctor-prescribed cream called Tretinoin proved to reduce the appearance of stretch marks after 6 months of use, but it hasn’t been tested safe to use during pregnancy. 

    Conclusion

    Stretch marks are a normal part of growing, whether you’re going growing from puberty, bodybuilding, or pregnancy. 

    The fact that 1 out of 2 pregnant women will get stretch marks means they’re common among us. Stretch marks are so normal that even celebrities get them. 

    Even though we don’t have any ways to remove stretch marks, new products and removal methods are tested constantly. 

    For now, enjoy that new baby-to-come, and take care of your skin. With time, those stretch marks will fade and they won’t even be a part of your thoughts anymore. 

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